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cnbc.com
Trump says Iran deal reopening Strait of Hormuz 'largely negotiated,' will be announced soon
A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8, punctuated by skirmishes as the U.S. and Iran jockey over the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
How an Essex valley became one of the UK’s most exciting new wine regions
English wine grown in Crouch Valley is fast becoming globally renowned – even the French are taking noticeIt was a Thursday afternoon spent basking in the sunshine, strolling through rolling hills and expansive plains laced with fruit-bearing vines. Surely I must have been dispatched to Tuscany or Bordeaux but no, this was the scene a mere 20-minute drive from Chelmsford, Essex.While the unassuming city might be better know as the stomping ground for the cast of The Only Way is Essex, with ITV cameras a frequent sight, the surrounding area could soon have another claim to fame as an emerging capital of English wine, which is on the up. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Treasury rejected ministers’ plan to cut VAT on public EV charging to 5%
Department for Transport is understood to back reducing levy, which critics have called a ‘pavement tax’Business live – latest updatesGovernment officials considered cutting the VAT charged on electricity used at public EV chargers from 20% to 5% at the last budget, but the Treasury under chancellor Rachel Reeves rejected the proposal amid disagreement between departments.Officials in the Department for Transport encouraged electric car charge point operators to write to the Treasury explaining how they would respond to a VAT cut, according to three industry sources. The charger companies said that they would pass the tax cut on to consumers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I avoid AI tools because thinking is supposed to be hard. It’s what makes us human | Wendy Liu
As intelligence itself becomes privatised by big tech, allowing your intellectual faculties to wither in service of inane bots seems a dangerous moveLong before the age of multi-billion-dollar AI companies promising to disrupt the field of software development, I was learning to code the hard way.It was the mid-2000s, and I was a child with unmonitored access to the family computer. With the help of a basic text editor program, I learned how to make websites – first basic, then increasingly complex – from scratch. The results were never as beautiful or polished as in my imagination, but I could live with that, because I was learning a craft. The painstaking hours of debugging and poring over arcane documentation for projects that I eventually abandoned never felt wasted.Wendy Liu is a writer based in San Francisco and the author of Abolish Silicon Valley Continue reading...
bbc.com
City's living costs drive workers to food banks
It is so expensive to live in Cambridge a charity says people with jobs need subsidised food.
theguardian.com
‘AI washing’: firms are scrambling to rebrand themselves as tech-focused
PR executives say UK companies are forcing them to present ordinary automation as artificial intelligence UK companies are performing “yoga-level” stretches to describe themselves as AI specialists in an attempt to capitalise on the buzz around the technology, public relations firms have said.Weary communications executives tasked with securing media coverage for brands have complained that bosses in low-tech industries or running businesses that use automation but not generative AI, are increasingly demanding they are pitched to journalists as artificial intelligence companies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
£600 for cheese? The Brazilian beach scams that cost visitors dear
Travellers warned to beware of debit card cons after one was charged £1,500 for a kebab and another £3,000 for corn on the cobWhen Lisa Selby* used her debit card to pay for two slices of barbecued cheese from a beach vendor in Rio de Janeiro, she expected to pay 40 reais (£5.90) for the snack.But shortly after the payment had gone through, she realised that she had been charged 4,000 reais (£590) after the vendor added two extra zeros to the card reader. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Squeals of horror over price caps – but how are we going to fix our broken food system?
Global events and the climate crisis have left Britain’s food system dangerously exposed and in desperate need of an overhaulThe news that the Treasury was asking UK supermarkets to cap price rises on essential foods was greeted with predictable squeals of horror this week. Supermarkets were reportedly “furious”, while luminaries from the former head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies to the former chair of M&S could be found harrumphing about the evils of price controls.But this caterwauling is a distraction from two unpleasant facts. Firstly, the food price surge over the summer and beyond is likely to be significant – and will come on top of a near-40% rise in the price of food since 2020 – due to a devastating combination of the Iran war and a forecast record-breaking El Niño, which will hammer global food production. And secondly, Britain’s food system is painfully exposed to such shocks. The long-held assumption that a global food system can be relied on to meet the nation’s needs, at a reasonable price, no longer applies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We’re expanding the cinematic toolbox’: AI fault lines on show at Cannes
Darren Aronofsky among proponents of using technology, while Guillermo del Toro says he would ‘rather die’Under a white marquee on Cannes’ Croisette beach, with the Mediterranean glistening behind him and superyachts drifting across the horizon, the director Darren Aronofsky addressed an audience of executives and tech evangelists gathered for an “AI for Talent” summit.“There’s so much pushback against AI,” said Aronofsky, who has faced criticism over his embrace of generative AI projects though his new studio, Primordial Soup, at a time when artificial intelligence has become one of the film industry’s most divisive fault lines. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now
Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?
theguardian.com
Starmer asks TNT Sports to make Champions League final free to view
Match between PM’s favourite Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain marks first time British fans will be unable to watch final free of chargeKeir Starmer has written to broadcaster TNT Sports asking it to make next weekend’s Champions League final free to view.The move is the latest measure that appears designed to appeal directly to voters, after the government announced earlier this week that it would cut VAT on entry to some attractions – such as theme parks, zoos and museums – during the school summer holidays. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The office lunch was once a luxury. Now it’s just a pain | Dave Schilling
A Mad Men-style steakhouse break would be welcome. But I’ve had it with the Lunch Industrial ComplexIt’s 12.30pm as I write this. My mind is preoccupied with moving my fingers from key to key on my ageing laptop, a task I pause briefly to remove a hair from the screen. Then, I scratch my leg again, which kicks up another hair. I should get back to work, but I can’t concentrate. Why? Because I’m incredibly hungry. It is, after all, lunchtime – the most worthless part of any workday.It is not that there’s shame in lunch. It’s just that we’re not programmed to eat at a certain time. We’re all different and the whole concept of the office lunch is obsolete nonsense in 2026. Let it go.Dave Schilling is a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Extra EU border checks suspended at Dover as travellers face delays in heat
Wait times of more than two hours reported at terminal for cross-Channel ferry to FranceFrench police have temporarily suspended extra EU border checks at the port of Dover as thousands of holidaymakers face long delays in the hot weather.Waiting times of more than two hours were reported at the terminal in Kent for the cross-Channel ferry to France. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How big tech got its way on Trump’s AI executive order
The US president’s reversal on calling for a safety review of new AI models is a green light for tech’s unchecked powerOnly hours before Donald Trump was set to sign a long-awaited executive order on Thursday that would have called for a government safety review of new artificial intelligence models before their release, the president abruptly backed out. Despite growing public backlash to the technology and experts warning new models will pose critical security risks, Trump vowed the US government would not slow down the AI race.During a meeting with reporters on Thursday, Trump cited both American dominance and competition with China and as his reasoning behind the reversal. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Move over matcha lattes: horchata is cold, creamy and coming to a menu near you
The sweet drink is a staple in Spain and Mexico, and it’s being served around the UK as an iced beverage and even in desserts. Here’s how to drink itHaving lived through the “matcha revolution”, I’ve become used to giving unfamiliar drinks a go. From bubble tea to pumpkin-spiced lattes, coffee tonic to ube frappes, I’ll try anything twice and – compared to those beverages – horchata feels like a more palatable prospect. The refreshing yet creamy cold drink from Spain and Mexico is often compared to cereal milk, which has also gained popularity as a flavour in its own right and is increasingly cropping up on menus elsewhere.Last month, Starbucks announced that, in the US, an iced horchata shaken espresso would be returning to its summer menu (this year joined by a new horchata frappuccino), having outperformed all previous seasonal iced shaken espresso beverages by an impressive 44%. In the UK, where horchata is less commonplace, I started spotting “dirty” versions, with added espresso, on coffee shop menus, alongside “dirty chai”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
French Open agrees to talks with players in row over grand slam prize money
FFT pledge to make concrete proposals in next monthBreakthrough follows media boycott at Roland GarrosThe French Tennis Federation (FFT) has promised to make concrete proposals about increased prize money, player welfare and representation within the next month in talks with leading agents at the French Open.The discussions took place on Friday, the same day many players, including the world No 1s, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, collectively decided to limit their pre-tournament media briefings to 15 minutes in protest at what they regard as insufficient prize money paid by the four grand slams. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Is Cornwall’s newest high street an inspiring model, or a threat to nearby Newquay?
Some locals fear Nansledan, touted as a blueprint for community-focused retail, is draining life from the town next doorA buzzard soars above wildflower meadows glinting with buttercups, as a giant construction vehicle whirs across a concrete pad where a new Tesco and a market hall are under construction.The development could be seen as a vote of confidence in a great British tradition. The Prince of Wales this week cured his hangover after Aston Villa’s Europa League win by checking out building work on what could be the UK’s newest high street, in Nansledan, Cornwall. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Shameful' more spent on benefits than jobs for young people, says Milburn
Reforms are needed of the welfare system to tackle the high numbers of young people not in work or education, says Alan Milburn.
cnbc.com
‘Blue dot fever’? What's really behind a tricky summer dynamic for live music
As prices rise everywhere, consumers are choosing to be more intentional with how they're spending on live music and concerts this year.
theguardian.com
SpaceX launches its biggest rocket yet in test flight from Texas
Starship V3 blasts off in 12th test flight of rocket that Elon Musk is developing with aim of taking people to MarsSpaceX has launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet, an upgraded version that Nasa is counting on to land astronauts on the moon.The redesigned mega-rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk, announced he was taking the company public. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas on Friday, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released midway through the hour-long spaceflight that stretched halfway around the world. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Three signs from APEC that the U.S. and China remain far apart on trade
U.S. and Chinese officials have met and spoken publicly about differing priorities since the Trump-Xi summit concluded in Beijing last week.
theguardian.com
Even if the Iran war ended today, US fuel prices aren’t likely to normalize this year
Prewar US gas prices averaged about $3 a gallon nationally – kiss that number goodbye for 2026Sorry, US drivers, but don’t expect pump prices to return to prewar levels any time soon, even if the US and Iran agree to a lasting peace deal tomorrow.As the war with Iran enters its third month, drivers have become infuriated by rising gas prices – and inflation – and Donald Trump is facing a historic backlash in the polls. The president promised recently that relief will be swift once the war ends. “I see it going down very substantially when this is over, I think very rapidly too, at levels that you’ve never seen,” he said. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Temperatures are rising - and so are ice cream prices
Temperatures are rising across the country, and so is the price of ice cream - but by how much?
theguardian.com
UK needs ‘national consensus’ over rejoining EU, David Miliband says
Ex-foreign secretary urges reset at ‘higher dosage’ after officials revealed to have pitched single market for goodsBritain needs a “national consensus” about rejoining the European Union, David Miliband has said, in response to revelations that the UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU to the bloc.The former foreign secretary, who is now president of the International Rescue Committee, said he thought the UK needed a reset of its relations with the EU at “a much higher dosage” than the government was planning. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
SpaceX rocket bursts into flames during Indian Ocean landing – video
SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight on Friday. It was an upgraded version of the spacecraft Nasa is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released midway through the hour-long flight that stretched halfway around the world. Despite some engine trouble, the spacecraft reached its final destination in the Indian Ocean where it erupted into flames on impact. The fire was not unexpected, according to SpaceXSpaceX launches its biggest rocket yet in test flight from Texas Continue reading...
cnbc.com
AI wealth must benefit the public, South Korea's deputy PM says amid Samsung labor tensions
South Korea's deputy PM tells CNBC there are concerns as to whether AI could worsen wealth gaps or lead to job losses.
theguardian.com
Liana Finck on shrinkflation coming for public transport – cartoon
Continue reading...
bbc.com
The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds
A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.
theguardian.com
Final frontier for meds? UK startup sends drug-making into space
BioOrbit hopes drug-crystallisation technology will lead to self-injected cancer treatment that could save millionsOnboard a SpaceX flight last week was a remarkable piece of cargo – a hi-tech box destined for the International Space Station to grow ultra-pure protein crystals, with the aim of producing self-injected cancer drugs.A British startup, BioOrbit, has developed the drug-crystallisation technology at its labs in London and launched Box-E, a compact unit the size of a microwave, on the 15 May rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Reeves begins push to remain as chancellor under new Labour leadership
Chancellor’s allies urge MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced, saying she is only candidate to safeguard UK’s financesRachel Reeves has launched a rearguard action to save her job as chancellor, telling friends she would like to stay in the post even under a new prime minister.The chancellor’s supporters have been urging MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced later this year, saying she is the only candidate who can safeguard the country’s finances. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fraudster trying to sell fake ancient statues to Sotheby’s foiled over bogus invoices
Paperwork supplied by Andrew Crowley, 46, found to be made using printing methods 25 years too modernA fraudster who tried to sell fake ancient statues to Sotheby’s was foiled when his bogus accompanying paperwork was found to be written with printing methods that were 25 years too modern, a court has heard.Andrew Crowley, 46, asked the auctioneers to value three Cycladic figures and one Anatolian stargazer statuette that he had inherited from his grandfather, Southwark crown court in London was told on Friday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘There is no great master plan’: anxiety as UK homes, roads and railways sink into the sea
Increasing coastal erosion has hit communities’ livelihoods and put lifestyles under threatThe remains of the road linking two towns in south Devon lie crumbled on the foreshore in a mess of tarmac, steel and concrete.The dramatic coastal road, known as the Slapton Line, has an environmentally protected freshwater lake on one side and the sea on the other, and links the towns of Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. But this year, winter storms demolished a section of the A road between Torcross and Slapton, which is at the frontline of rising sea levels and coastal erosion, fulfilling a destiny that was predicted more than 30 years ago, but that has not been prepared for. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Tracker mortgages are back’ – but is one the right choice for you?
The uncertain interest rate outlook is making tracker deals popular again. We look at the pros and cons of both types of loanWith some experts warning that we may have to brace ourselves for interest rate rises later this year, it might seem odd to suggest considering a tracker mortgage.But, amid the economic chaos caused by the Iran war, for some people looking for a home loan or to remortgage, a tracker – where the rate you pay moves up or down in line with the Bank of England base rate – could be a good bet. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The pothole puzzle: the bumpy ride to fixing Britain’s broken roads
Councils fix a pothole every 17 seconds – but getting on top of the repair backlog would cost £18.6bn. Why is it so hard to solve a problem that drives the nation crazy?Marsh Street in the historic centre of Bristol is a modest little stretch of road with an office block at one end, a Thai restaurant at the other, and an almighty mess in between.Along its length of 200 metres or so, the tarmac surface of the road is pockmarked with many dozens of cracks, patches, divots and holes. In some spots where the surface has worn away, three or more layers of road structure are exposed beneath. What is a bouncy enough ride in a bus or car is even more of an assault course for cyclists, a number of whom weave carefully down its length as they cut through the city centre. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Five toys on sale in Britain found to contain asbestos in tests for Guardian
Discovery adds to fears about UK safety regime and exposes regulatory gaps as similar items were banned in NetherlandsFive children’s toys on sale in Britain analysed in a Guardian investigation have been found to contain asbestos.It is illegal to sell products containing any quantity of asbestos fibres in the UK because of the long-term risk of cancer and respiratory problems if they are inhaled. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Can hybrid village stores answer rural Germany’s ‘cry for help’ and fend off far right?
Retail innovation, where people can shop alone after staff have gone, is helping vital community hubs surviveOnce upon a time, every German village had its own Tante Emma laden (Aunt Emma shop), a family-run hub of community life where local people bought their groceries at affordable prices and shot the breeze with their neighbours.But in recent years the loose network of small businesses throughout Europe’s biggest economy has come under huge pressure from staffing shortages, competition from supermarket chains and rising inflation, which the Iran war has again sent surging. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
French stars are rightly worried by billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Here’s how to rein him in
The conservative tycoon’s grip on media and cinema is unhealthy. An EU fund could protect democracy in perpetuityThe shadow of Joseph McCarthy’s “red scare” loomed over the storied steps of this year’s Cannes film festival. Echoing the mid-20th-century blacklist, which shut out about 300 suspected communists from Hollywood, the French media group Canal+ announced an effective ban on twice that many French cinema professionals, including actors such as Juliette Binoche and film directors such as Jean-Pascal Zadi and Arthur Harari. Their crime? An open letter denouncing the growing influence on French media and cinema of conservative tycoon Vincent Bolloré, Canal+’s main shareholder.The Canal+ chief executive, Maxime Saada, justified punishing the signatories on the basis that their claim was an “injustice” against the staff of Canal+ – who were, he said, committed to the organisation’s independence. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump Mobile investigating potential exposure of would-be customers’ personal information
Phone company launched by Donald Trump’s family says names and contact details appear to be affected, but not credit card or banking informationA phone company launched by Donald Trump’s family business is investigating a potential security flaw on its website that appears to have exposed the personal details of an estimated 27,000 people who sought to buy a gold-coloured smartphone.Trump Mobile said in a statement that it was investigating the issue – “with the assistance of independent cybersecurity professionals” – in which the full names, addresses and phone numbers of people who filled out preorder forms appeared to be exposed. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
SpaceX launches Starship test flight on second try
SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket on Friday, a day after the company scrubbed plans before takeoff.
cnbc.com
Disney's 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu' tallies lowest Thursday preview sales in franchise history
Disney's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" tallied $12 million in Thursday night previews, the lowest collection of advance tickets in franchise history.
cnbc.com
Tulsi Gabbard resigning as Trump's intelligence chief
Gabbard said she is leaving her post to support her husband, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer.
bbc.com
UK sees hottest day of year as bank holiday travellers face queues
Temperatures hit 28.4C in parts of England on Friday, while delays have been reported at the Port of Dover and Birmingham Airport ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
bbc.com
AI may speed up search for drugs to treat brain conditions
Researchers hope the work will help identify affordable, effective drugs to treat conditions like MND.
cnbc.com
Trump skipping wedding of son Donald Jr. to Bettina Anderson
Donald Trump Jr. was previously married to Vanessa Trump, with whom he has five children. She disclosed this week that she has breast cancer.
cnbc.com
New lawsuits against Trump's DOJ 'lawfare' fund
President Trump droppped his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for the DOJ creating a $1.8 billion fund to compensate alleged "lawfare" victims.
cnbc.com
Kevin Warsh sworn in as Fed chair as Trump seeks interest rate cuts
Despite President Donald Trump's demands for lower interest rates, markets are betting the Fed will stay on hold through most, if not all, of 2026.
cnbc.com
Qualcomm's stock pop shows investors are 'waking up' to boom in AI devices
Qualcomm is on a big run, powered by investor bullishness that the company will be at the center of a boom in AI devices.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields are mixed as investors digest Fed chair swearing in, bond market volatility
The volatility in the bond market continued as new Fed chair Kevin Warsh was sworn in on Friday.
cnbc.com
Home Depot comps finally catch Lowe's, opening the door for the stock to do the same
It took nearly a year. But it finally happened this quarter.
cnbc.com
Oil prices post weekly loss as U.S. and Iran signal progress toward a deal
The U.S. and Iran have signaled progress in talks to end the war, but the warring sides remain at loggerheads over key issues.
bbc.com
Bank boss sorry after describing workers as 'lower value human capital'
The Standard Chartered boss said he values all colleagues and is committed to helping them cope with change.
cnbc.com
Kevin Warsh's real Fed 'regime change' may happen deep inside Wall Street's plumbing
Warsh could guide to a smaller role in day-to-day markets, while also setting clearer rules for how and when it should intervene.
bbc.com
Trump wants new Fed chair to be 'totally independent'
The US president piled major pressure on Kevin Warsh's predecessor to cut interest rates.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Britain’s coming energy shock: mini-measures won’t suffice | Editorial
Consumer giveaways may soften the blow from the the war on Iran. But Britain’s vulnerability demands deeper state intervention and a faster transitionRachel Reeves’s announcement of a series of cost of living measures this week shows a government trying to prove it still has agency and relevance. The VAT cuts on summer attractions such as theme parks and soft-play centres, free bus rides for the under-16s in England and reduced import tariffs on food are politically useful, but they do not fundamentally alter the UK’s exposure to imported energy shocks. This is a mini-budget, with the emphasis on the mini. The inflationary impact of the Iran crisis, however, will be substantial. That is why the chancellor is moving into crisis-management mode with industrial resilience funds and thinly veiled threats to tax profiteers. But it is unlikely to be enough.The repercussions from the closure of the strait of Hormuz are reviving the need for more radical state fiscal intervention. Ms Reeves moved pre-emptively because the energy regulator is next week expected to announce that energy bills are likely to rise by £209 to £1,850 a year for a typical dual-fuel household from July. That is an increase of 13% on the current £1,641 annual bill. It will be a direct hit to household disposable incomes – and Labour’s central political claim that the cost of living crisis is easing on its watch. Worse may still be to come. If households absorb a summer rise in bills and then face costs rising again before winter, the government risks a return to the levels of financial anxiety felt after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Consumer sentiment hits fresh record low in May as Iran war fuels inflation worries
Consumer sentiment has tumbled to a fresh record low in May as fears of higher prices grow due to the U.S.-Iran war and elevated oil prices.
cnbc.com
Puig plunges after Estée Lauder tie-up talks terminated; European stocks rise
European stocks pushed higher on Friday as investors monitor the U.S.-Iran war and a slew of economic data.
theguardian.com
Has the great AI backlash begun? | Fiona Katauskas
The signs are thereSee more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Everyone is proud of it’: dismay in Halifax at Lloyds’ threat to historic brand
The bank, formerly a building society, has carried the name of the Yorkshire town since 1853 and most locals think it should be preservedOn a moody afternoon, near the sandstone terraces of Halifax’s Gibbet street, David Glover, a local historian, is opening the gates to Lister Lane cemetery.Usually closed to the public, the burial ground is being opened today as an exception. Because here, among towering spires and the tombs of wealthy industrialists, lie the founders of one of West Yorkshire’s most famous exports: Halifax building society. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Borrowing in April hit highest level since Covid
Borrowing was higher than expected last month and retail sales fell as fuel prices surged.
bbc.com
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
cnbc.com
Estée Lauder surges in premarket after Puig merger deal talks end
Estée Lauder's shares jumped before the market opened after talks over a potential merger deal with Spanish beauty group Puig was terminated.
bbc.com
Morrisons planning to close 100 stores in next few months
It said difficulties had been exacerbated by "significant cost increases resulting from government policy choices".
cnbc.com
Donald Trump Jr.-backed 'Steroid Olympics' are happening on Sunday. Here's what to expect
Olympic medallists are among 42 athletes competing in the controversial competition, but the Enhanced Games has big product plans beyond the event this weekend.
cnbc.com
U.S. pushes its AI in China and Asia after Trump-Xi meeting
Integrating American AI in Asia is high on the agenda for the U.S., according to a senior official for APEC and economic policy.
cnbc.com
NATO will spend hundreds of billions of dollars on defense, says Rutte, as Trump pledges 5,000 American troops to top spender Poland
"I am pleased to announce that the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland," Trump said on Truth Social on Thursday.
cnbc.com
The Cuba situation is starting to resemble a pre-conflict playbook
The U.S. pressure campaign against Cuba appears to have entered a new phase.
theguardian.com
Hyperlocal, seasonal and eco-friendly: British flower farms are coming up roses
Figures show domestic flower growers are expanding their market share, as the government gives sector official recognitionBritish flower farmers have long resembled David faced with their own particular Goliath – the imported flower industry. More than 80% of cut flowers bought by UK consumers are shipped or flown in. However, recent figures show domestic growers are expanding their market share.Chloë Dunnett, the founder of Sitopia Farm, a London-based organic farm growing food and flowers, says: “Our flower sales are up 65% for the year and turnover is increasing year on year as the public and florists look for flowers that are seasonal, environmentally friendly and hyperlocal – consumer power can be very effective.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Stop blaming young people for being unemployed, says Amazon's UK boss
John Boumphrey says the education system "isn't necessarily producing young people who are ready for work".
bbc.com
Why thousands of stock trades tied to Trump are raising eyebrows
The BBC's Michelle Fleury looks at trades disclosed by the president.
cnbc.com
Oil-rich Alberta to hold a vote on whether to separate from Canada
The move for a referendum comes after months of campaigning from a group of separatists.
bbc.com
Could your weekly food shop get cheaper?
The government says shoppers across the UK could save as much as £150 million a year on food - but how much is that per household?
cnbc.com
‘A big mistake’: The ECB is ‘hell-bent’ on rate hikes despite recession risks, senior economist warns
Berenberg's chief economist said ECB rate rises would be a "big mistake" amid growing signs of European stagflation.
theguardian.com
Mars colony and Grok warnings: five strange details in SpaceX’s pitch to investors
IPO filing from Elon Musk’s company reveals closer look at finances, cosmic ambitions and tech empire’s quirksSpaceX publicly released an investor prospectus on Wednesday as part of its plan for a $1.75tn debut on the US stock market next month, revealing unseen details about the finances and future plans of Elon Musk’s flagship company. In addition to new information on operating costs and revenue, the filing also included trademark Muskian sweeping proclamations about the universe and insights into some of the quirks of his tech empire.Scattered throughout the 300-plus-page prospectus are several disclosures and risk warnings that show the eccentricities of Musk’s company and its cosmic ambitions. Other financial details in the document highlight how interdependent Musk’s various businesses have become and the risks that they carry. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Crypto bros, scalpers and Logan Paul: Inside the world of Pokémon where cards are sold for millions
A Pokémon card boom is being driven by nostalgia, blockbuster card sales and speculation.
bbc.com
Laura Pomfret - CCJs, decrees and unpaid court debts
Laura Pomfret - CCJs, decrees and unpaid court debts
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham’s Manchester has a defining spirit – and Britain could do with a lot more of it | John Harris
Call it a mix of collectivism and entrepreneurialism or just an overarching vibe, but the mayor’s philosophy could be on the way to WestminsterAmong the underrated later work of those revered sons of Manchester the Smiths, there is a completely jaw-dropping song simply titled London. Full of fury and excitement, it depicts a Mancunian as he boards a train, travelling to the capital full of ambition and hope, but also gripped by a gnawing ambivalence. Andy Burnham, whose love of the band is hardly a surprise, may well recognise not only its defining theme, but the song’s accidental encapsulation of his decision to try to make his way to the House of Commons, in a line crooned by Morrissey in slightly mocking tones: “And do you think you’ve made the right decision this time?”Even if some observers only give him a 45% chance of winning, it looks like Burnham has, particularly when it comes to his pitch for power. Eleven years ago, let us not forget, a somewhat different incarnation of the future Greater Manchester mayor was one of four candidates for the Labour leadership, along with Jeremy Corbyn, and chose to stage one of his launch events at the City of London HQ of the auditing firm Ernst & Young. There he said he might back further benefit cuts, and claimed that too many people associated Labour with “giving people who don’t want to help themselves an easy ride”. In 2022, he told me this was the result of bad advice: “I listened to people that I shouldn’t have, really. It was tone-deaf … it wasn’t me. It wasn’t authentic.”John Harris is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.com
Jailed tycoon's Birkin bags sell for over half a million dollars
The luxury handbags sold in a government auction in Ho Chi Minh.
theguardian.com
Homes for sale in England with great gardens for parties – in pictures
From a farmhouse with a wildflower meadow to an award-winning London flat with a neat garden for al fresco dining Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Japan core inflation softens to over four year low, weakening case for BOJ rate hike
Core inflation — which strips out prices of fresh food — was lower than the 1.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters and below the 1.8% reading in March.
cnbc.com
Airlines are struggling but China's 'Big Three' face a tougher year than most
China's carriers face sky-high jet fuel, lack of hedging strategies, and a customer base that can easily pivot to cheaper high-speed rail services.
theguardian.com
Trump’s new ‘slush fund’ for his pals – podcast
This week, Donald Trump dropped a personal $10bn lawsuit he had against the Internal Revenue Service in exchange for a so-called anti-weaponisation fund. The $1.8bn fund will be used to compensate those who think they have been unfairly investigated by the government in the past.This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to the legal analyst Kristy Greenberg about why critics are calling this fund ‘corruption on steroids’Archive: AP Continue reading...
bbc.com
Musk's SpaceX postpones Starship launch as mega share sale looms
It comes just a day after the firm revealed plans for a record-breaking stock market debut.
cnbc.com
An AI trade involving energy and infrastructure that's doubled your money, topping Nvidia
If you put the same money into a basket of companies that are building out AI infrastructure and energy sources, you’ve done much better than stocks like Nvidia.
cnbc.com
How Fanatics cornered the sports collectibles market
As FIFA's exclusive collectibles licensee, Fanatics is set to tap a rapidly growing market in the world's largest sport, but longstanding criticisms follow.
bbc.com
Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats
Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.
bbc.com
'The vibes are young male vibes': Why prediction markets attract a certain type
Prediction markets are a fast-growing, multi-billion-dollar industry, and appeal disproportionately to young men
bbc.com
UK police bosses say unsafe social media platforms should be blocked for under-16s
The NCA and NPCC say children should be blocked from accessing sites which do not stop them seeing nudes or being contacted by strangers.
bbc.com
Police to score train firms on tackling sexual harassment
The government will not be financial or legal penalties for train operators who fail to meet the targets.
cnbc.com
Job training for robots: How China is getting machines ready to join the workforce
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on the company's fourth-quarter earnings call that China is the biggest competition for humanoid robots.
bbc.com
Meta settles social media addiction case with US school district
The trial had been set as a test case for 1200 other school districts making similar claims.
bbc.com
Government pledges £120m to support ceramics firms
Rob Flello, boss of Ceramics UK, says the support recognises the importance of the industry.
bbc.com
Cheaper theme park tickets and children's meals as VAT to be cut for some attractions this summer
Chancellor Rachel Reeves made a series of announcements aimed at relieving cost-of-living pressures.
bbc.com
Walmart warns US shoppers are cutting spending as higher petrol prices bite
The retail giant said it expects customers to cut back in the coming months due to higher pump prices.
bbc.com
Chris Mason: VAT cut on summer fun - the announcement that didn't leak
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils measures aimed at helping families with the cost of living - but is it enough?
bbc.com
Wes Streeting pledges 'wealth tax that works'
Wes Streeting is proposing reforms to capital gains tax, as part of his pitch for the Labour leadership.
bbc.com
Nvidia's latest record earnings fail to impress investors
The chip giant reported more stellar results but its shares fell after-hours as investors wonder if it can keep up its pace of growth amid greater competition.
bbc.com
EasyJet boss says summer flights won't be hit by jet fuel shortages
The airline has seen no problems with fuel, but says people are booking later because of uncertainty caused by the Iran war.
theguardian.com
Parents in the UK: has your childminder stopped offering places or closed their business?
Campaigners warn the decline in childminders is making it harder for families to find flexible and affordable childcare. Share your experiencesThe number of childminders in England has roughly halved over the past decade, with many citing rising costs, low pay and increasing paperwork as reasons for leaving the profession. Campaigners warn the decline is making it harder for families to find flexible and affordable childcare.We want to hear from parents and carers whose childminder has recently closed their business, stopped accepting certain age groups such those over three-year-olds or reduced the number of children they look after. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK agrees £3.7bn trade deal with six Gulf states
The deal will remove an estimated £580m worth of tariffs from British exports, but rights groups are critical
bbc.com
TikTok and YouTube 'not safe enough' for kids, says Ofcom
YouTube said it worked with experts to provide appropriate experiences. TikTok said it was disappointed Ofcom had not acknowledged its safety features.
bbc.com
Samsung strike on hold as workers push for AI bonus
The walkout, which was due to start on Thursday, has been suspended while union members vote on a tentative deal.
bbc.com
SpaceX files for stock market debut that could make Elon Musk a trillionaire
Musk's rocket-maker and satellite internet provider will trade under the ticker SPCX
bbc.com
The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches
Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.
theguardian.com
Tell us: how open are you about money with your partner?
Are you or you partner a secret spender? Take part in our experimentWe’re looking for couples, who don’t often open up about their finances with each other, to take part in an experiment for the Saturday magazine. Maybe you have a ridiculous Pret habit you don’t mention to your boyfriend or you’re hooked on online shopping and have never revealed the extent of your spending to your wife. Or maybe the two of you have simply never sat down and discussed what you scrimp on and where you splash out.If this sounds like you – and you’d be willing to record and share money diaries with each other in the presence of a Guardian journalist – get in touch and we can share more information. We would run these interviews anonymously. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Six problems with tax-free childcare
Parents can can claim up to £2,000 a year for each child – but many are put off by the clunkiness of the scheme Any parent who has ever used the UK government’s tax-free childcare system knows what a painful experience it is. Each month when I log into my account, I feel a sense of dread and frustration. Why is something that is such a lifeline for so many parents so difficult to use?The scheme gives working parents an extra £2 for every £8 they spend on childcare. You can claim up to £2,000 a year for each child (or up to £4,000 a year for a disabled child). Continue reading...
bbc.com
Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
bbc.com
Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
bbc.com
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
bbc.com
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
bbc.com
Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly
The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
bbc.com
Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking
Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.
bbc.com
Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.
bbc.com
How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy
Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.
bbc.com
How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'
The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.
bbc.com
Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict
Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.
bbc.com
Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Will AI lead to more accurate opinion polls?
It's cheaper and faster to collect people's opinions using AI, but will it make polls more accurate?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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